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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks North Hancock, South Hancock, NH
Trails
Trails: Hancock Notch Trail, Cedar Brook Trail, Hancock Loop Trail
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: There is not sign at the trailhead which tells you you are starting the Cedar Brook Trail, but that one's the only one around. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Significant, Snow/Ice - Monorail (Unstable), Snow - Spring Snow, Snow/Ice - Postholes, Slush 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Light Traction 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: Wet boot warning! The first two small stream crossings were a breeze, but the water level is high at the second two. My hiking partner and I spent a good 10 minutes looking upstream at the third crossing for a decent spot to cross and still ended up with at least one foot in the stream.  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: Blazes are faded/hard to find and at times we found ourselves off-trail around steam crossings at the cedar brook trail trying to figure out whether we missed a turn. Hardly any downed trees. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs: Several flies on the Hancock Loop Trail. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: We had great weather and were in great spirits for this hike- two things that we needed because the trail was wretched and in the very worst of spring conditions. Sticky boot-sucking mud, high water crossings, ice, slush, and unstable monorail with slushy post-holing.

The 0.5 mile trail up/down South Hancock is best described as a slushy ice-waterfall. We made the unfortunate mistake of hiking down it, which took an hour of careful footwork- we were grateful to have made it down un-injured. Most trail books recommend hiking up it- either way would be a challenge.

The connecting trail from the North and South Hancocks was full of unstable 1 foot wide monorail with post-holing. We took our spikes on and off for melted sunny sections.

All and all the spring trail conditions probably added an 2 hours to our hike. I wouldn't recommend this trail to a friend at this time of year.  
Name
Name: Kate 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2014-05-15 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

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